Australia: Family of three found after 10 days in wilderness

Sydney, Australia: A 5-year-old boy and his 7-year-old brother were both in a stable condition at a hospital on Monday after surviving with their father for 10 days in a remote national park before a farmer discovered them. The family trio found themselves with little food, no cellphone reception and temperatures that rose to about 38 Celsius (100 Fahrenheit) after dad Steven Van Lonkhuyzen took a wrong turn during a family road trip and then his vehicle got bogged in mud, according to police. They were rescued after farmer Tom Wagner went searching for them on his four-wheeled farm motorbike and found them after several hours in the Expedition National Park. “They were pretty hungry by the time I got to them, and pretty happy to see me,” Wagner said. [caption id=“attachment_2001331” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational Image. AFP[/caption] Queensland Police Acting Superintendent Mick Bianchi says Van Lonkhuyzen had planned to drive from his home in Brisbane to Cairns using an inland route. “Quite simply, he took a wrong turn,” Bianchi said. He said the boys were a little emaciated and dehydrated after their ordeal. Bianchi said the family had limited provisions but luckily it was stormy at times and they were able to collect rainwater in a plastic container. He said the father had tried to attract attention by laying out high visibility items around his vehicle and lighting fires. He said Van Lonkhuyzen made the right choice by staying with his vehicle. “They were very trying conditions, and it would have tested the family’s relationship,” Bianchi said. He said the father attempted to establish routines with his children and keep them occupied. He said the national park is not usually visited at this time of year because of the extreme weather conditions. Associated Press